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Olmert addresses the Knesset at the opening of the winter session (AP)
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| By Ilan Marciano October 16, 2006 |
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Prime Minister Ehud Olmert opened the Knesset winter session Monday evening by calling on Lebanese Prime Minister Fouad Siniora to meet with him and negotiate for peace. He also said that Israel wanted to make peace with Syria, but that the country would not be able to talk with a pro-terror leader like President Bashar Assad. Olmert stated that he intends to utilize every possible opportunity for real negotiations with the Palestinians.
Commenting on the Lebanese issue, Olmert said: "I wish to take this opportunity and call on the Lebanese prime minister to meet with me directly in order to make peace between Israel and Lebanon. I know that he is under a lot of pressure from home and from the outside. Israel can be a natural, serious partner for a peace-seeking country like Lebanon."
According to the prime minister, "the campaign in Lebanon has ended and its consequences have influenced the entire region. We are drawing lessons and facing the shortcomings that have been revealed during the war. It's important to make clear that this has been a vital campaign. We have gained some significant achievements in this campaign."
The PM called on the Palestinians to resume negotiations, saying: "We have no intention to govern over another people," he said. Olmert also stated his intentions to change the governmental system and establish a constitution for Israel.
No compromise on captives
According to Olmert "there have been recent changes in the political arena. The Palestinian government is currently headed by Hamas, a government which unfortunately does not fulfill the minimal conditions set by the international community. As long as the Hamas government does not recognize the State of Israel, accept those accords that have been agreed upon and operate to halt terror attacks, we cannot engage it."
"We will not compromise over these conditions. We have not, for one moment, forgotten Cpl. Gilad Shalit. Gilad will come home. We know that the Palestinian people and their leadership are not one and the same. Abu Mazen (Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas) is a legitimate partner and we are maintaining continuous talks with him and his people and I am willing to meet with him immediately."
Olmert opened his statement with the names of the kidnapped soldiers. "There must be a constitution and the political system must be reinforced. The Knesset must agree to establish a constitution and reform the governmental system," he said, emphasizing that "the elementary guidelines of my government are known to all. Any party that wishes to be an active partner and not just talk is welcome as a partner. I am willing to include additional partners in order to work together to promote the issues on the agenda."
"This place has known great moments, but it has also known low moments which we would rather forget. Let us fulfill our jobs in becoming manner," said Olmert, "let us show all those who look upon us that they have someone to trust. Let us choose that which strengthens and not that which divides."
Katsav a no-show
The Knesset winter session commenced this Monday without much excitement, minus its leading star -- President Moshe Katsav who decided to honor the legislative body with his absence, this following the police's recommendation to prosecute him for rape.
His absence shifted the spotlight to another leader, himself at a problematic crossroads in his political career -- due, of course, to entirely different circumstances.
Prior to the session the separate parties held meetings of their own. Olmert, speaking at the Kadima party meeting, said that he is "interested in seeing the coalition expanded," but also said that he was interested in "continuing the partnership with Labor." According to Olmert "there is a genuine intent to change the government system even during the current Knesset session and to continue efforts to establish a constitution for Israel."
Olmert added that he had already appointed a group of Knesset members within his party to prepare a draft on the subject. "We will operate to pass our proposal and we will cooperate with other parties, including Israel Our Home. We need to consolidate widespread approval on two issues -- changing the government system and a constitution for Israel. These things will contribute to governmental stability in Israel, something which we have been lacking for many years," said Olmert.
Defense Minister Amir Peretz, speaking at the Labor party meeting, said:"To me this government is the right government in the current parliamentary situation in the Knesset. Peretz later added that a different coalition constellation might increase the government's chances of survival, even though the current one may "unfortunately create an even graver standstill in various areas."
This article first appeared on Ynet.
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